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If you can't win, don't lose - according to traditional wisdom.

Before their journey to Nottingham Forest, Manchester United had gained just eight points from losing positions with their manager. They had not got a single point from the previous six games when they found themselves behind since the trip to AFC Bournemouth last spring, when a late goal snatched a tie.

When they were behind at the stadium after letting in two goals in a short span, as Nottingham Forest overturned a disputed first-half goal, Manchester United were staring down the barrel.

The question to Amorim after his side recovered to draw could not have been more straightforward.

Had that match happened the previous campaign, do you feel it would have ended in defeat?'

The response was equally decisive.

"Yes, and by more goals, that is my feeling."

It's impossible to determine the reality. What we do know that the young player demonstrated why Amorim selects him at wing-back by scoring a brilliant first-time volley from just outside the penalty area nine minutes from time to secure a draw.

It has been obvious since the beginning of the campaign that United are performing at a higher level this term. Since the start of autumn, they have additionally been achieving more positive outcomes.

The determination, the will, the unwillingness to surrender are unquantifiables.

In this game, Amorim believed his players demonstrated they have got better at that too.

"Previously, if we had this kind of poor short period and we conceded a couple of goals, we wouldn't bounce back," said Amorim. "Today is a distinct feeling. You can sense we could not triumph in this game but we are not going to lose. And that is a feeling a big team sometimes has to have."

Amorim didn't mention it, but the addition of the Brazilian forward and Bryan Mbeumo probably made a difference.

Cunha is not one to shy away from difficult situations, on the contrary indeed. In the first half, when he was booed by the local supporters for what they felt was his tactical play, he responded - instead of ignoring them - pointing to the badge on his kit.

The forward is a energetic nuisance, the epitome of a player who will not give an opponent a moment's peace.

The coach was questioned exactly what had caused the psychological growth. Apart from saying the self-belief generated from the prior three successive wins, he didn't really give an explanation.

"The confidence, of course, is totally changed," he stated. "Following three positive performances and we have a different assurance. We understand one another better. We communicate increased about these aspects.

"We demonstrated this year we can have difficult periods but then, we have three good games.

"We just need to be inside the match until the last moments. In the past, we could have collapsed completely the way we played the encounter. Today, the impression was different."

Doubt Lingers Regarding Prospects of the striker and Mainoo

While this represented a occasion when the team displayed their resilience, it was additionally a day that likely created Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo even more unsure of their futures in the manager's revamped squad.

In his before the game media briefing, the coach said it was likely players who think they are at danger of not making the international tournament will ask to leave in the winter transfer window.

It is fair to assume Zirkzee and the midfielder fit into that category. Zirkzee has accumulated 82 minutes from his 4 Premier League cameo roles this season. For the young player, the total is 138 from 7.

Not one has begun a Premier League match this season and nor were they called upon to be substituted on at the City Ground, as the team sought a way back into a game they were losing from the second half.

"We have a great deal of quality on the substitutes but at times I have the impression if I'm going to disrupt the game constantly, I'm going to break something," explained the manager. "Our performance was getting better during the second half, so my feeling was not to change the setup with the guys in front."

Mainoo had a agreement in place to move to the Italian club in the final stages of the summer window but the club would not sanction a transfer. Zirkzee was coming back from injury but is currently considering the possibility of a return to Italy.

The circumstances is made more complex by the absence of the winger and Amad to the Africa Cup of Nations in the midst of the winter, a time which features a few midweek games which will demand a level of squad changes not previously needed.

Since the final is on 18 January, the duo are expected to be back well before the transfer window ends on February 2nd - which may mean a later outcome than what eager to leave player would prefer.

"It is the demands of the game," commented the coach, when asked directly about the forward and Mainoo. "The players understand it's temporary.

"It's nothing to do with ability - and we have a lot of games."